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The Revolution, Vilma and the New Woman in Cuba

CUBA, April 8, 2010. - Vilma Espín Guillois, the paradigm of the new woman Cuban socialism calls for, is born every day in our grandmothers, enjoying the great opportunities their granddaughters currently have, in every leader, scientist, worker giving the world their best, as well as in every student trying to succeed.

Vilma was born in Santiago de Cuba, on April 7, 1930; in a decade where the right to independence, many times thwarted, almost turns into a revolution. The long-awaited victory was foiled; however, this period shaped those man and women who would fight for the independence in the following two decades.

Her desire for self improvement and a sense of justice, honesty and humbleness characterized Vilma her whole life, in a family where communication and harmony prevailed.

Therefore, she understood the importance of the family for individuals, and then she did her best to promote the responsibility of families as well as raise high its role as the cornerstone of the desired society. Vilma also based his personal life on this.

During her childhood and youth, she clearly understood how much shame any feeling of discrimination enclosed. She worked hard to eliminate every sense of superiority based on religious, racial, gender or social status, among others, in an attempt to sweep them out as excuses used by a few to exploit a majority.

A vanguard is born

The word vanguard always meant more than common letters to Vilma. Vilma was a clear example of integrity: an oustanding student, lover of Cuban History, which taught her the rich tradition Cubans have in their fight for independence. Vilma felt great admiration toward all Cuban fighters, not only for those of the 19th century but for the most current ones such as. Julio Antonio Mella. She was also a faithful follower of Marti´s ideas, and became not only a hearer but also a doer of them.

At the eastern university, where Vilma studied and was later one of the first two women chemical engineers in Cuba ( with this, she also broke up all social schemes), she raised her voice to make this higher education center official as well as to join the university choir.

She also liked to practice all those delicate gestures of the classical ballet, as well as those rough and energetic movements of volleyball. She was the captain of the university women´s volleyball team.

So many activities could not take away her interest in the Cuban political situation, her desire for changes. So, she joined the eastern Federation of University Students and expressed her rejection towad the Batista coup d´etat at the Columbia barrack in 1952. This event she described with the following nouns: blood, unconstitutionality, tyranny.

By this epoch, Vilma joined the newly-born National Revolutionary Movement (MNR) headed by Frank País, where she played an active role.

She was an outstanding paticipant in the clandestinity and then IN THE Sierra maestra

In 1953, those revolutionary bullets fired against the Moncada barrack went deeper into Vilma´s conscience; a portrait of her enslaved Homeland drawn by Fidel´s roughest words used during his statement known as La Historia me Absolverá; made her ideas more radical. Thus, Vilma could acknowledge that that young lawyer was the political figure the revolutionary process was calling for. So, she is also one of the first women to join the July 26 Movement along with Frank.

Shortly before dying, Frank País assigned her the task of working as the provincial coordinator of the Movement, and she did so until June, 1958 as her situation in the city worsened and she had to go to the Sierra Maestra. There, she joined the "2nd Frente Oriental" of the Rebel Army.

When the victory in 1959 gave the chance to move towards a society based on justice and equality, Vilma actively joined the march along with other women, and accepted to be their leader.

Firstly, she founded the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) on August 23, 1960 as she found it necessary to join together all the women´s organizations. She was at the helm of the FMC till she died.

As FMC leader, she addressed her actions to provide conceptual, cultural and political tools to this historically helpless sector, which had been deprived from all legislative protection and were still unaware of their rights. At the triumph in 1959, women were found to be the main victims in terms of nutrition, health, education, life conditions, powers of decision, social respect, etc.

Most of women lived in very poor places, and lived on mending, cooking and agricultural labor. Others had already decided to live on prostitution as they had no other solution for their poverty.

In an attempt to take women out of confinement and humiliation, one of Vilma´s first initiatives was opening trade schools for farmers, domestic servants, former prostitutes; as well as unifying institutions to provide them with remuneration.

She also promoted the creation of kindergartens, as she gave great importance to education in the earliest years of life.

As a compass on this trip from ostracism and invisibility to socialist femininity, Vilma inaugurated Mujeres magazine in 1961, and the Mujer publishing house in 1978.

Vilma cared for all those victims of discrimination; so, she founded institutions to give love to those children with no family protection or with disfunctional families; Houses for Orientation of Women and Families, the National Group For Sexual Orientation, which later became the National Center for Sexual Education. This center aims at promoting respect for sexual diversity.

In terms of gender, Vilma understood that it was necessary to open our minds and dynamite all those conceptions about the roles women and men should play. On this issue, Vilma favored the creation of specialized centers at higher education institutes, and said that future teachers should try not to reproduce sexist stereotypes.

She inserted some services into the health system such as: institutional labor, abortion with minimum of risks and as an option for undesirable pregnancies, as well as a Program for a Responsible Maternity and Paternity.

She also called for the right of women to participate in the defense of the country.

As a deputy of the People´s Power National Assembly she contributed to eliminating discriminatory laws and decrees as well as creating others to strengthen justice and equality in our social system. For instance, the Family Code and the Law on the Maternity for Female Workers, which gives women the chance to have a paid maternity leave.

She was vice president of the International Democratic Federation of Women and she was recognized as a leader of progressive thought on the island and abroad.

She also accepted to talk about the rights of women and the Cuban Revolution in international events.

She received the title of heroine of the Republic and was awarded the Ana Betancourt and Mariana Grajales orders sponsored by the Council of State.

Maybe the multiple and vital routine of today's Cuban women, occupying many roles (militants of political organizations, of masses; students, workers, home mothers) allows them to remember, at the end of the day that today celebrates the birthday of one who became a guide and example forever.

However, when women exercise the right, without it being an "offense to family morals", of sharing the domestic tasks with the husband; when the wanted maternity, after the period of nursing, doesn't cut off the wings for socializing; or when they are unburdened to direct a collective, receiving recognitions for their talent or dexterity, getting ready for the work that they enjoy most in life, they will remember that everything was made possible because 52 years ago a Revolution triumphed and, 80 years ago, Vilma was born. (Cubaminrex – Granma Daily)

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